SB Nation User Blog: staplemaniac

Which one of you was this, really?

staplemaniac — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:22:02 -0000

Which one of you was this, really?

It's definitely someone on this board. I feel sure of it.

Photoshop SRQ contest

staplemaniac — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:13:42 -0000

So, at the Homerun Derby DRB's very own SRQman was spotted in the background of smoe interviews wearing a Jason Bartlett jersey and Tampa Bay hat.

via img195.imageshack.us

The ruls are as follows:

You must post a pic (please use a title) that has been shop'd

Other pics from the HRD GDT are also acceptable

The image with the most rec's wins

I would also like to support the "change your avatar" drive. Make SRQ proud.

Gabe Gross loves America via SUNSports/FSNFlorida facebook

staplemaniac — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:08:12 -0000

Gabe Gross loves America

via SUNSports/FSNFlorida facebook

Barnese strikes out seven in debut

staplemaniac — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:07:24 -0000

Barnese strikes out seven in debut

Seven K, 0 BB and 1 ER through 5 innings for Barnese. Oh happy day.

Rays Prospects on twitter

staplemaniac — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:46:23 -0000

Rays Prospects on twitter

They've had it for a while, but I just noticed that they're updating it now.

Rays Fans in Gainesville

staplemaniac — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:53:35 -0000

I need some help. I'm a UF telecom student and I'm doing a project on Cox cable and the Rays. I need a Rays fan in the area to interview about how pissed they are that the games aren't on SUN sports. If anyone's interested, please email me or call my cell (REDACTED). It's for today, so after today I'll take this down. DRAYSBAY COMMUNITY UNITE to help me please!

UPDATE: My tape broke so I got screwed a little on one of my interviews. If anyone wants to help I still could use an interview, just shoot me an email. I've rededicated this thread to the Internet, and all that it stands for.

Poll: Lester or Garza?

staplemaniac — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:15:48 -0000

The question is simple, with their current contracts and everything involved, who would you rather have on your team, Jon Lester of the Red Sox or Matt Garza of the Rays? The stats:

Lester: The Red Sox's tough lefty, threw a no-hitter and broke out last season after getting the win in the Red Sox's 2007 World-series clinching win. Blew through the Sox's system, making his major league debut in 2005. Threw his first full season in 2008. Signed through 2013 with a club option for 2014 (if anyone knows a good site to find contract info please post it in the comments)

2008:

IP: 236.2 (about 85 innings more than 2007)

K: 177

BB: 71

tRA: 3.90

Garza: Rays spitfire-er(?) throws hard from the right side. Had command and emotional issues early last year, but came through to become one of the Rays better starters. He Won the ALCS MVP, beating the Red Sox twice. Pretty sure he's arbitration eligible next seson and under team control until 2011 (again, could be wrong, will fix if corrected.

2008:

IP: 209 ( about 32 more than 2007)

K: 153

BB: 71

tRA: 4.32

(Note: Matt Garza's statistics do not include minor league stats. Innings, ks and BBs include playoffs, tRA does not.)

Poll

Whom would you prefer on your team?

Matt Garza

68 votes

Jon Lester

35 votes

103 votes | Poll has closed

Poll: Who will be the Rays MVP this season?

staplemaniac — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 17:25:14 -0000

While reading ESPN.com (yeah, I know) I was looking at the season predictions of the "experts" and I was very surprised to see more people pick Carl Crawford (2) as AL MVP than Evan Longoria. Apparently there are quite a few people predicting a huge season from CC. There's a glut of talent in the 'Burg this season, so my poll asks this: which player, at the end of the season, will be the most valueable? It's interesting to me because a case can be made for quite a few players.

Note: names are alphabetical

edit: Added Burrell

Poll

Who will be the Rays' MVP this season?

Jason Bartlett

7 votes

Pat Burrell

3 votes

Carl Crawford

15 votes

Matt Garza

2 votes

Scott Kazmir

4 votes

Evan Longoria

44 votes

Carlos Pena

9 votes

James Shields

5 votes

B.J. Upton

39 votes

Other

2 votes

130 votes | Poll has closed

Poll: Who will be the Rays' 5th starter?

staplemaniac — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 16:17:48 -0000

Pretty simple, really. Who will be the Rays' 5th starter on opening day? The Candidates:

Jeff Niemann:

Out of options, so he has to either be on the major league roster, traded, or put through waivers to Durham. The third option will positively lead to his going to another team for free, so that's not likely to happen. He was the Rays first round draft pick in 2004 and the 6'9" right hander has had two solid seasons following some injury troubles. Some want him as a bullpen arm where he could potentially throw high-90s.

David Price:

King David, number one overall draft pick in 2007. Price has electric stuff and between his fastball and slider, he could start right now. The problems are these: His change-up needs refining, leaving him in Durham could delay his arbitration years, and most importantly he has never thrown more than 130 innings in a season. It would be easier to control his innings in Durham and call him up to join the rotation sometime in May. Excellent golfer.

Jason Hamel:

Has been in the majors for the last couple of seasons, but was relegated to long reliever last year. His bendy things can be pretty nasty, but probably doesn't have the stuff to be a quality reliever. Could get some value in a trade, but isn't very valuable out of the Rays bullpen. Also out of options, so he has to either be on the major league roster, traded, or put through waivers to Durham.

Carlos Hernandez:

Used to be a top prospect in the Astros farm system before a partial tear of his rotator cuff threatened to end his career. Has had pretty good success since joining the Rays, but with the glut of pitching prospects he seems unlikely to make the roster on opening day.

Others: Possibly Wade Davis or Mitch Talbot, but it's almost certainly going to be one of the pitchers described above.

Poll

Who will be the Rays 5th starter on opening day?

Jason Hammel

38 votes

David Price

8 votes

Jeff Niemann

56 votes

Carlos Hernandez

4 votes

Other

1 votes

107 votes | Poll has closed

"I'm not trying to have James Shields' changeup, because that doesn't come along too often." LHP...

staplemaniac — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:20:26 -0000

"I'm not trying to have James Shields' changeup, because that doesn't come along too often."

LHP David Price, on getting tips from RHP Shields.

WHY AREN'T YOU TRYING TO HAVE THAT CHANGE UP? DO IT.

per the heater